Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board has lodged a formal complaint with official broadcaster Sky Sports after it aired an interview with the sons of jailed iconic former captain and prime minister Imran Khan during the lunch break on the opening day of the second Test against England at Lord’s. The PCB had objected to the interview recorded on Wednesday and even considered keeping its players off the field after lunch in protest if Sky went ahead with the broadcast, sources aware of the developments said.
The PCB refused to comment on the matter when contacted.
However Pakistan did take the field as scheduled. England ended the first day at 248 for nine in the second Test at Lord’s on Thursday. Former England skipper Mike Atherton conducted the 18-minute interview with Imran’s sons, Kassim and Suleman, at Lord’s.
The duo expressed fears over the well-being of their father, whose health has been a growing concern in recent weeks. The PCB learned about it after Sky ran a teaser for the segment ahead of the Test and contacted the broadcaster, asking it not to air the interview. However, Sky broadcast the interview during Thursday’s lunch break.
In Pakistan, PTV, which is broadcasting the series, did not broadcast the interview. Imran's health has been the focus of growing scrutiny over the past few weeks, with his sons stepping up their efforts to get him appropriate health care.
Atherton and 20 other former captains and greats from captains from India, Australia, England, West Indies and New Zealand sent a letter to Prime Minister, Shahbaz Sharif a few days back asking him to see that Imran receives proper care in prison.
